Housing Secretary Angela Rayner has expressed concerns over government proposals that would extend the time foreign workers must wait to qualify for permanent residency in the UK.

Housing Secretary Angela Rayner has publicly criticized proposed visa rule changes that would increase the time foreign workers must wait to secure permanent residency. In an interview ahead of the Labour Party conference, Rayner described the potential policy as "disruptive" and unfair to those who moved to the UK under previous expectations. The proposals, which are currently under review by the Home Office, would extend residency wait times for many migrants to 10 years, and to 15 years for care workers.

Impact on foreign care workers

Rayner, a former care worker, argued that the proposed changes unfairly penalize individuals who relocated to the UK to support vulnerable people. She stated that altering the requirements for those already in the country amounts to "changing the goalposts" after these workers have already dedicated years to their roles. The government is currently considering responses to a consultation on the issue, with a final decision expected by the end of the year.

Government and party response

The visa reforms were initially developed under former Prime Minister Keir Starmer to address concerns regarding net migration. Prime Minister Andy Burnham, who succeeded Starmer in July, is reportedly considering potential exemptions for workers who have already arrived in the UK. The proposals face opposition from over 100 Labour MPs and various trade unions, with backbench MP Rachael Maskell also calling for a revision of the plans.